I have a thing for puppies, especially golden retrievers. Something about their fluffy and cuddly appearance just makes my heart melt. The plushy fur, the almost-too-big paws, and those eyes. I mean, come on, just look at that face! Not … Continue reading
I’ve been having issues with a calf injury off-and-on since the end of January. I’m really stubborn about getting to the doc to get things checked out, but after hearing of the free injury screenings offered at my local running store, I decided it was about time.
The Good…
No torn or ruptured tendons. Whew.
The Bad…
Medial shin splints, which are very commonly found in those who overpronate (that would be me).
The Ugly…
A large mass of scar tissue from a nasty tear in my calf muscle. Well, that explains a lot. Also, my biggest issue with my overpronation has little to do with my foot structure, but rather, my hips are to blame. Apparently I have fairly significant instability and poor alignment in my left hip, which I already knew. I just didn’t realize it could cause so many issues with legs and feet. The chiropractor strongly suggested no more running until my injury healed (cross-training only) and also suggested that I pass on my upcoming half marathon. Cue the heartbreak.
Back to Good…
Okay, so luckily it wasn’t all heartbreak. There was an “unless” in there: if I agreed to come to his clinic 2-3 times per week and limited my training, he agreed he could safely get my back in proper condition to run my half marathon in 5 weeks. He also gave me some wonderful suggestions of stretches and tools I can use at home in addition to my PT/chiropractic therapy sessions–I desperately want a foam roller. He even showed me how to use KT Tape to help the injured area (it really works!).
In other good news, I got properly fitted for new shoes that will help correct my overpronation issue: Nike Lunarglides. I’ve learned my lesson with running in poor footwear… NEVER AGAIN.
I’m actually looking forward to my appointments, since it means that it’ll allow me to keep training safely. It has been frustrating alternating running and resting time to accommodate my injury. Let’s hope that I’m in tip-top shape come May 2nd!
What better time to request registration for my licensing exam than Social Work Month! I’m still waiting for my authorization to test, but at least I’ve finally checked off the first step of many for obtaining my license in Wisconsin. In some ways I can’t believe it has taken my so long (3 whole months!) to register for my exam. I suppose time got away from me as we recovered from the big move and settled into our new home. While I’m happy to finally get the ball rolling, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m feeling bitter over the hefty price tag. As if the exam fee alone wasn’t enough, the other costs are adding up very quickly:
ASWB Clinical Exam: $260
ASWB Exam Guide: $20
ASWB Score Transfer (MI to WI): $40
License Verification Forms: $15
Credential Application Fee: $90
Wisconsin State Law Exam: $75
Grand Total: $500
I mean, you’ve got to be kidding me, right? It’s going to cost me half a grand just to be able to apply for a job? It baffles me, but I suppose that complaining about it certainly won’t make the situation any better. So, I’ll just pull myself up by my bootstraps, slap a smile on my face, and just be grateful that I’m finally on my way to having a career again.
As I mentioned in a previous post, the Green Circle Trail is a scenic 30+ mile route that loops around the city of Stevens Point. Yesterday, I decided to check out a new segment of the trail. Though a little … Continue reading
Since the weather was absolutely beautiful this weekend, it gave me the opportunity to do a super quick and simple DIY project that I’ve been meaning to get to: sprucing up some of my picture frames.
These were my grandmother’s, so the frames are quite old and certainly showing their age. There’s a quick fix for that, though.
Good old Kyrlon to the rescue! Spray paint is probably one of my favorite DIY supplies. It’s fun, fast, and easy. It’s a great way to touch-up or add color to pretty much anything.
After removing the prints from the frames, all I had to do was lay out some cardboard to protect my deck, and then I went to work. Already looking better! I left them out for a few hours to dry in the sun before handling them again.
Voila! My old aging frames are looking lively again, and I have another DIY project scratched off my to-do list. Next I’ll probably be decorating some mason jars to brighten up our home… spring is finally coming!
Who knew 55 degrees could feel so balmy? Today the Point was bustling, with many donning shorts and tshirts. It’s almost hard to believe that just last week I was out shoveling snow. This warm and sunny weather couldn’t have … Continue reading
Ready to see how I plan to take over Europe next year? Check it out on my travel blog at “Fernweh Travels”! ❤
It’s no secret that I’ve always had a bad case of wanderlust. So then it also shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’ve decided that I’m going to take a month-long backpacking trip through Europe next year! Making that decision inspired … Continue reading
When one thinks of Martin Luther King Jr., one often thinks of how he believed in social justice, equality, perseverance, and improving the lives of others. I felt that this quote captured all of that beautifully and wanted to share … Continue reading
I recently stumbled across an excellent article from The New Social Worker that I wanted to share with you as part of celebrating Social Work Month 2015. In the article, a social worker challenges the idea that medical social work only involves death and sadness. She does so by sharing the experiences in her work that highlight strength, courage, hope, and most of all, moments that celebrate life. Being a medical social worker myself, this piece really resonated with me:
“It’s actually about celebrating life. I experience the privilege of feeling overwhelming gratitude and witnessing resilience on a daily basis. What more could one ask in a career?”
If you are interested in learning more about the field of medical social work, I encourage you to follow this link to the full article: The Privilege of Medical Social Work | The New Social Worker.
Happy Social Work Month!
CONFESSIONS OF AN ASPIRING SOCIAL WORKER 